Hunter Tools#
Hunter Tools are a special equipment system in Bloodborne that provide ranged attacks, buff effects and special abilities. This guide covers how to obtain every Hunter Tool, its upgrade path and the best situations to use it in.
Hunter Tools Overview#
There are 8 Hunter Tools in the game, each with its own unique combat purpose. Tools are used by consuming “Blood Echoes”.
| Tool | Type | How to Obtain | Main Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter’s Mark | Summon | Starting | Summons hunters |
| Molotov Cocktail | Thrown | Starting | Ranged fire |
| Blood Vial | Recovery | Starting | Restores HP |
| Quicksilver Bullet | Ammunition | Starting | Ammunition for gun parries |
| Arcane Item | Arcane | Rune Workshop | Arcane attack |
| Hunter Bell | Summon | Hunter’s Dream | Online summoning |
| Small Bell | Online | Hunter’s Dream | Being summoned |
| Red Bell | Invasion | Hunter’s Dream | Invading worlds |
Hunter’s Mark#
How to Obtain#
Starting equipment - simply follow the main storyline to obtain it.
Effects#
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Summon Hunters | Consumes Blood Echoes to summon hunters |
| Widen Matchmaking Range | Widens the online matchmaking range after use |
Usage Tips#
- Use it before boss fights to summon helpers
- Combined with the “Hunter Bell” it allows remote summoning
- The Blood Echoes cost increases with the number of uses
Molotov Cocktail#
How to Obtain#
Starting equipment - simply follow the main storyline to obtain it. It can also be purchased from merchants.
Effects#
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Fire Damage | Deals fire damage when thrown |
| Area Effect | Creates an area of fire where it lands |
| Ignite Effect | Can set enemies on fire |
Usage Tips#
- Extremely effective against Beast-type enemies
- You can switch weapons quickly right after throwing
- Combined with a “Fire” setup it can deal heavy damage
- Best used in narrow spaces
Blood Vial#
How to Obtain#
Starting equipment; it can also be purchased from merchants or dropped by enemies.
Effects#
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Restore HP | Restores a certain amount of HP |
| Quick Use | Can be used quickly in combat |
| Quantity Limit | Can carry a maximum of 20 |
Usage Tips#
- Use Blood Vials at safe moments
- Do not use them while the boss is in a frenzy
- The amount restored can be raised with the “Recovery” rune
- Can heal teammates during online play
Quicksilver Bullet#
How to Obtain#
Starting equipment; it can also be purchased from merchants or dropped by enemies.
Effects#
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Gun Parry Ammunition | Used to gun parry enemies |
| Quantity Limit | Can carry a maximum of 60 |
| Crafting | Can be crafted using HP |
Usage Tips#
- Gun parries are a core combat technique in Bloodborne
- Firing at the instant before an enemy attacks lets you gun parry
- Combined with the “Recovery” rune it reduces HP consumption
- Can supply teammates with ammunition during online play
Arcane Items#
How to Obtain#
Obtained by crafting at the Rune Workshop or from boss drops.
Main Arcane Tools#
| Tool | Effect | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Arcane Fire | Fire attack | Rune Workshop |
| Arcane Lightning | Lightning attack | Rune Workshop |
| Arcane Frost | Frost attack | Boss drop |
| Arcane Dark | Dark-attribute attack | Rune Workshop |
Usage Tips#
- Arcane items suit Arcane builds
- Combined with the “Arcane” attribute it raises damage
- Different arcane items are especially effective against different enemies
- Can provide ranged support during online play
Hunter Bell#
How to Obtain#
Obtained by speaking with Gehrman in the Hunter’s Dream.
Effects#
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Summon Hunters | Consumes Blood Echoes to summon hunters |
| Online Core | The core item of online play |
| Matchmaking Range | Determines the online matchmaking range |
Usage Tips#
- Use it before boss fights to summon helpers
- Combined with the “Hunter’s Mark” it widens the matchmaking range
- The Blood Echoes cost increases with the number of uses
- Can provide buffs to teammates during online play
Small Bell#
How to Obtain#
Obtained by speaking with Gehrman in the Hunter’s Dream.
Effects#
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Being Summoned | Summoned by other players |
| Online Core | The core item for being summoned |
| Blood Echoes Reward | Gain Blood Echoes after being summoned |
Usage Tips#
- Use it near boss areas to be summoned
- Combined with the “Hunter Bell” it allows two-way online play
- After being summoned you can help the host kill bosses
- Can earn extra rewards during online play
Red Bell#
How to Obtain#
Obtained by speaking with Gehrman in the Hunter’s Dream.
Effects#
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Invade Worlds | Invade other players’ worlds |
| PvP Core | The core item of invasion |
| Blood Echoes Reward | Gain Blood Echoes after a successful invasion |
Usage Tips#
- Use it near boss areas to invade
- Combined with the “Betrayer” Covenant it grants extra rewards
- After invading you must defeat the host to receive rewards
- Can obtain rare items during online play
Recommended Hunter Tool Combinations#
Recommended PvE Combinations#
| Combination | Effect | Best Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Bell + Blood Vial | Summon + Recovery | Boss fights |
| Molotov Cocktail + Quicksilver Bullet | Ranged attrition + gun parry | Elite enemies |
| Arcane Item + Hunter’s Mark | Arcane attack + summon | Difficult battles |
Recommended PvP Combinations#
| Combination | Effect | Best Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Red Bell + Quicksilver Bullet | Invasion + gun parry | PvP duels |
| Small Bell + Blood Vial | Being summoned + recovery | Protection while summoned |
| Molotov Cocktail + Arcane Item | Ranged attrition + arcane | Ranged PvP |
Hunter Tool Upgrade Guide#
Upgrade Priority#
| Priority | Tool | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blood Vial | Recovery is the most important |
| 2 | Quicksilver Bullet | Gun parry is a core skill |
| 3 | Hunter Bell | The core of online play |
| 4 | Molotov Cocktail | Ranged attrition |
| 5 | Arcane Item | Used in special builds |
Upgrade Materials#
| Material | How to Obtain | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Echoes | Killing enemies | Buying items |
| Blood Stone Shard | Chalice Dungeon enemies | Upgrading tools |
| Blood Stone | Chalice Dungeon bosses | Advanced upgrades |
FAQ#
Q: Can Hunter Tools be traded?
A: No. Hunter Tools are bound items and cannot be dropped to other players through online play.
Q: Is there a limit on the number of Hunter Tools?
A: Yes. Blood Vials cap at 20, Quicksilver Bullets cap at 60, and other tools have no limit.
Q: Is there a limit on the number of Hunter Tools?
A: Yes. Blood Vials cap at 20, Quicksilver Bullets cap at 60, and other tools have no limit.
Q: Can all tools be used during online play?
A: Yes. You can use every Hunter Tool you have obtained during online play.
Q: Do Hunter Tools have hidden effects?
A: Yes. Certain tools have special effects under specific conditions.
Conclusion#
Hunter Tools are an important supplement to Bloodborne’s combat system. Using Hunter Tools well greatly improves combat efficiency, especially in boss fights and multiplayer. Choose the Hunter Tools that fit your build type, and prioritize upgrading the most important ones.